Gerald Kleczka: “this weekend, the Nation's media coverage was monopolized by pictures of Dan Jansen parading a victory lap with his…”

“this weekend, the Nation's media coverage was monopolized by pictures of Dan Jansen parading a victory lap with his 9-month-old daughter Jane, who is named for his late sister. This perfect moment was how it was meant to be. Last Friday's Olympic victory for Dan Jansen is a lesson to everyone in determination and perseverance. Although Jansen's record-setting, gold medal skate was considered his crowning achievement, those of us in Wisconsin knew that Jansen had nothing to prove in Lillehammer. We have watched admiringly as Jansen dominated men's speed skating for the better part of a decade. Numerous World Cup championships, the title as World Sprint Champion in 1988 and 1994, and a prior record-setting performance in the 500 meter long ago proved Jansen's excellence. For seven Olympic races, however, the country agonized as Jansen failed to win in the premier global sporting exhibition. We all suffered with him during his disheartening fall in 1988, shortly after learning of his sister's death, and his subsequent inability to medal in 1992. For a moment last week, it looked as though Jansen's Olympic woes would continue. This dedicated athlete rose to the occasion, however. In what he had said would be his final Olympic appearance, Jansen captured the gold he desired, and set a world record in the process. His story is an inspiration to us all, and a triumph of American determination and grit.”